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Daily Mirror
04-05-2025
- Daily Mirror
Greek hidden gems include 'floating village' and 'some of the best beaches in the world'
Google searches for 'Greek island hidden gems' have risen by 100% in the past three months, with people looking to avoid the crowds at more well-known destinations As the summer season inches closer, folks across the nation are busy pencilling in their holiday itineraries for this year or even mapping out plans for the next. It seems that Greece is enjoying quite the buzz, with searches for 'Greek island hidden gems' on Google surging by 100% over the past three months. Claire Shields, Base Manager at Sunsail, is unveiling her top picks for Greek islands that she reckons are brimming with untouched splendour and serene vibes. Her selections include Kastos, described as a "floating village" where "time slows down," Atokos, which stands uninhabited with wild pigs freely wandering, and Paxos, deemed one of the Ionian Sea's least commercialised spots, offering picturesque vistas that turn it into an "artist's paradise." Six 'hidden gem' Greek islands Lefkas Claire highlights Lefkas as "one of Greece's best hidden gems", pointing to its spellbinding natural wonders, genuine Greek atmosphere, and spectacular beaches minus the throngs found on more popular islands. Conveniently reached with Preveza airport just a hop away and solid links to the mainland, Lefkas is a prime choice. Aside from its striking beauty, Claire asserts Lefkas is host to "some of the best beaches in the world," advising visitors to make tracks to Porto Katsiki, Egremni, and Kathisma. Don't miss out on Sivota's quaint harbour, nestled among olive grove-clad hills and dotted with isolated villas, reports the Express. Meganisi "Meganisi is a small island near Lefkas with hidden coves and sea caves, great for sailing, seafood and snorkelling," the expert reveals. "It is one of the few Ionian islands that remain untouched by mass tourism, which is why it's such an underrated hidden gem." This island boasts an authentic Greek atmosphere, complete with fishing villages, quaint family-owned tavernas, and subterranean caves ready to be discovered. The island's most notable cave, Papanikolis Cave, served as a submarine hideout during World War 2 and is accessible only by the sea. Atokos Atokos, a privately owned, uninhabited isle nestled between Lefkada and Ithaca, welcomes travellers. Its pristine beauty offers a tranquil retreat and makes for a picturesque visit. On its eastern side lies One House Bay, famous for its resident wild pigs, presenting a quirky and unique attraction amidst the Greek archipelago. Kalamos and Kastos Close to the coast of Lefkada stand the petite islands Kalamos and Kastos. Forested with pines, Kalamos exudes tranquillity, whereas Kastos boasts just a single village. Sailing around Kalamos reveals secluded beaches, hidden sea caves, and flawless spots for swimming in solitude. For those seeking a 'slow living' experience during their getaway, Kalamos is the perfect destination. Free from bustling beach bars and large resorts, you'll meander along local tavernas serving up freshly caught fish, house-made wine and locally grown vegetables. Claire describes Kastos, with its mere 100 permanent residents, as nearly a "floating village." She adds: "With only one small harbour, a cluster of stone houses and a few tavernas, time seems to slow down here. You'll also find unspoilt beaches with clear turquoise water only reachable by boat or by foot." Paxos Paxos is seen as the least commercial of the Ionian Islands, which Claire dubs an "artist's paradise." She divulges: "It's a perfect place to wind down; nothing is done quickly here. "Sit and drink an iced coffee in one of the seafront cafes, watch a local fisherman bring his catch in to sell or queue in the local bakery for your fresh bread baked in a wood oven. This is the beauty of Paxos." Agia Efimia, a stunning fishing village on the east coast of Kefalonia, offers another chance for visitors to embrace some slow living. Here, people can unwind while watching beautiful boats navigating the marina and sampling local treats from waterside cafes and bars. Concluding her insights, Claire remarks: "Want to channel your inner adventurer? There's still plenty to be explored here as there are two sets of caves, the Drogarti inland and the Melisani caves, which you can be taken to by a boatman. "Many describe this as entering Hades itself. The water is dark and inky with turquoise patches where the sun hits, and the caves are linked to the Melisani Lake further inland by underwater passages."
Metro
04-05-2025
- Metro
The lesser-known Greek 'floating village' with return flights for just £100
Mykonos, Crete, Rhodes, Santorini: all stunning Greek islands we've heard of time and time again. But if you're in search of an island less travelled, then look no further than Kastos. Boasting unspoiled nature and tranquillity in abundance, it's a brilliant alternative to the likes of popular destinations like Corfu. Home to less than 100 residents, Kastos feels like a 'floating village' according to travel expert Claire Shields of Sunsail, a yacht charter company. 'With only one small harbour, a cluster of stone houses and a few tavernas, time seems to slow down here,' she says. If you're a sucker for a beach and turquoise water, you'll be right at home on this small island. Fuel your wanderlust with our curated newsletter of travel deals, guides and inspiration. Sign up here. When surrounded by glistening ocean there's one must do, and that's water sports. From swimming to snorkelling and scuba diving to sailing, take the opportunity to do it all. Paralia Vali beach is just a short walk from the port and is the most popular beach, while Limni beach is a particularly good one for swimming. Babakia and Vrisidia are both on the east coast of the island while Aberlaki is on the south coast – all are accessible by foot or by car. Agios Emilianos is also a must visit because it's where Fokotrypa (Seal Hole) can be found – a small cave with a beach inside it. It's full of history too, with archaeological findings from as far back as the Roman and Early Byzantine years. Kastos was also a refuge for fighters and civilians during the Greek Revolution, when Greeks revolted against the Ottoman Empire in 1821. There's even a little Marine Museum – 'Home of the Fin Whale' – which holds the skeleton of a young fin whale which washed up on the shore of the island in the 70s. The quaint little sea port of Kastos offers stunning sunset drinks at the Windmill Bar, which has panoramic views of the ocean and surrounding islands. Mylos Bar is another spot with a 'spectacular' and 'phenomenal' view of the Ionian sea, according to Tripadvisor users. El.a Cafe Bar also came highly recommended by many users too. User iskrapari wrote: 'Beautiful island Kastos, but it is upgraded by this particular bar. It is not only the magnificent view from the balcony but… warm and friendly… excellent drinks and especially the rock, jazz, blues dance that make up its uniqueness.' A mini-market behind the main harbour has the essentials you'll need like fruit and veg but don't expect to find any cash points, or chemists. Card payments aren't typically accepted here, so make sure to take out plenty of cash before you go. While you're staying on Kastos, you should take the opportunity to visit its neighbour Kalamos, via ferry or boat. Covered in pine forests, it's a chance to really switch off and connect with nature. Travel and yachting expert Claire says: 'Sailing around Kalamos means discovering quiet beaches, sea caves, and perfect little swim with no one else around. 'It's also great for slow living. You will not find big beach bars or resorts, just local tavernas with fresh fish, homemade wine and homegrown vegetables.' If you're a keen walker, the Kalamos mountain range will give you some breathtaking views, while some creeks are great to explore via kayak or small boat. You can also explore the two villages Kalamos on the east coats, and Episkopi on the northwest coast. Kalamos is your best bet for restaurants, cafes and shops, with a small promenade and some limited hotels. Episkopi has a harbour, a single restaurant and a small cluster of houses, although its near to the ruins of a Venetian castle which is great to explore. Getting to this little hidden gem isn't as simple its more popular counterparts but it's not ridiculously pricey either. More Trending You'll want to fly from London Gatwick to Preveza airport, also known as Aktion National Airport in Greece. It'll cost you £108 per person for a return flight with easyJet, and your journey will take around three-and-a-half hours. This will land you just 6.7 kilometres from Preveza and 20km from the nearby island of Lefkada. Once your out of the airport, you'll need to get a transfer to Mytikas, either by taxi or bus. By taxi will set you back around £15 but you'll get to the port in just 11 minutes, while a bus is more expensive and will take hours because of the long-winded route. Once you catch the ferry (which only operates once daily) it'll take 40 minutes before you finally reach your destination. Do you have a story to share? Get in touch by emailing MetroLifestyleTeam@ MORE: I thought bird-watching was for pensioners until I flew 8,000 miles from home MORE: The 'jaw-dropping' Greek beach that's just four hours from UK named world's best MORE: I trekked Earth's second-largest rainforest to meet one of our closest ancestors
Daily Mail
01-05-2025
- Daily Mail
I'm a Greece expert and these underrated destinations are the country's best kept secrets
Greece is one of Europe's leading tourist destinations with more than 35 million travellers holidaying there in 2024. This means that its more popular spots, such as Santorini and Mykonos, tend to get a little overcrowded. But with over 6,000 islands in Greece, the country has more than enough destinations where you can escape the crowds. And if you're looking for inspiration, Greece expert and base manager at Sunsail, Claire Shields, has shared her six favourite hidden gems. Lefkas Claire describes the island of Lefkas as one of Greece's 'best hidden gems' with 'stunning natural beauty' and 'incredible beaches'. She reveals: 'Lefkas island has some of the best beaches in the world, like Porto Katsiki, Egremni and Kathisma. The small villages in the mountain also offer breathtaking sunset views.' Lefkas is connected to the Greek mainland which means it's only around an hour's drive from Preveza Airport. Claire adds: 'For those wanting to explore further afield, Lefkas is a great location as there are many small islands within a short distance that you can visit.' Meganisi A small island with 'hidden coves and sea caves', Claire reveals that Meganisi is a great destination for sailing, seafood and snorkelling. She explains: 'It is one of the few Ionian islands that remain untouched by mass tourism which is why it's such an underrated hidden gem. 'It has a laidback, authentic Greek vibe with fishing villages, traditional family-run tavernas and underground caves to explore.' The travel expert recommends visiting Papanikolis Cave, which is only accessible by boat. Atokos This 'small uninhabited island' is a must-visit destination, according to Claire. She adds: 'Untouched nature and limestone cliffs make it a stunning place to visit and ideal for relaxation. 'To the east of the island is One House Bay, where you will find wild pigs roaming around.' According to Claire, Atokos is an 'ideal' destination if you 'want to feel closer to nature.' Kalamos and Kastos These two 'tiny' and tranquil islands are some of Greece's best hidden gems, according to Claire. She says: 'Kalamos has a few perfect natural harbours which are calm and protected. Sailing around Kalamos means discovering quiet beaches, sea caves and swimming with no one else around.' Meanwhile on Kastos, tourists can expect to find 'unspoiled beaches with clear turquoise water'. Claire explains: 'Home to less than 100 permanent residents, Kastos feels like a floating village. With only one small harbour, a cluster of stone houses and a few tavernas, time seems to slow down here.' Paxos Claire says: 'One of the least commercial Greek islands set in the Ionian Sea, this island is truly beautiful with scenery that makes it an artist's paradise. 'Its clear aquamarine sea and pebble beaches must be seen to be believed.' The travel expert explains that Paxos is the 'perfect place to wind down' as 'nothing is done quickly here'. She suggests grabbing an iced coffee at one of the island's seafront cafes and watching a local fisherman bring in his catch. Agia Efimia This 'gorgeous fishing village' on the east of Kefalonia is the perfect holiday destination if you want a 'slower pace of life', says Claire. She suggests tourists spend the day 'watching beautiful boats entering and leaving the marina'. Claire adds: 'There are two sets of caves, the Drogarti inland and the Melisani caves, which you can be taken in by a boatman. 'Many describe this as entering Hades itself. The water is dark and inky with turquoise patches where the sun hits.' And if you're looking for more breathtaking holiday destinations in Greece, why not check out the gorgeous spot that's been described as the 'Maldives of Europe'. Elafonissi Beach on the island of Crete is world-famous because of its pink sand and crystal-clear water. Its pastel-pink sand gets its colour from Foraminifera, tiny marine creatures which create red-pigmented shells. Over time, the shells break down and mix with the sand giving it its attractive pink colour.
